Surgical Cutting Guide

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a surgical cutting guide for guiding a surgical instrument along a cutting path located on a biological tissue. The surgical guide includes a contact surface that conforms to a surface associated with the tissue and at least one guide for restricting movement of a surgical instrument in a first direction and for allowing the movement of the surgical instrument in a second direction along a cutting path across the surface of the tissue. The guide further contains a stop for restricting movement of the surgical instrument in the second direction along the cutting path. The stop is based at least, in part, on patient specific information.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/139,324, entitled “SURGICAL CUTTING GUIDE” filed Jun. 13, 2008, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/943,726, entitled “SURGICAL CUTTING GUIDE” filed Jun. 13, 2007. Each of the above-described applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to surgical tools, and more particularly, to surgical tools such as surgical cutting guides.

BACKGROUND ART

When performing cuts with blades, saws, or other surgical instruments during surgical interventions, surgeons typically have good control of the surgical instrument with regard to direction and depth of tissue penetration. However, sometimes a surgical instrument may slip, be deflected, or stray from its intended cutting path. When a surgical instrument strays from its indented cutting path, it may inadvertently injure or cut other tissues.

For example, in knee arthroplasty, a surgeon may intend to preserve one or more tibial spines. When performing a horizontal tibial cut, the surgeon typically guides the blade in an anteroposterior direction. The surgeon guides the blade path so as to stay clear of the tibial spines. However, if the surgeon accidentally misdirects the instrument or if the instrument is deflected from its intended path, the blade path may extend into the tibial spines or other local tissues. This unintended cut of the tibial spines may result in the loss of ligament stability.

Deviation of the surgical instrument from its intended cutting path may also have harmful effects when performing surgical interventions in other parts of the body. For example, in the spine, deviation of a surgical instrument may result in neural damage or damage to bony or disc structures. In the hip, deviation of an instrument from the cutting path may potentially result in neurovascular damage or damage to bony and ligamentous structures. In a shoulder, deviation of the instrument path may potentially result in neurovascular or muscular damage.

Deviation from the cutting path may also lead to other unintended consequences. For example, failure to follow a cutting path may later result in misalignment or poor positioning of an implant. A poor fit for an implant may result in complete failure of the implant or other complications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to preventing unintended and inadvertent cuts to tissues during surgical interventions. In one embodiment of the invention, a surgical cutting guide is used to prevent unintended and inadvertent cuts. The surgical cutting guide includes a contact surface that conforms to a surface associated with a biological tissue and at least one guide for restricting movement of a surgical instrument in a first direction and for allowing the movement of the surgical instrument in a second direction along a cutting path across the surface of the tissue. The guide further includes a stop for restricting movement of the surgical instrument in the second direction along the cutting path. The stop is based at least, in part, on patient specific information.

In some embodiments, the guide may be configured to abut the tissue and the abutment of the guide and tissue defines at least part of the cutting path of the surgical instrument. The stop may also be configured to abut the tissue.

Each of the stop, the guide, and the contact surface may have several configurations. For example, the stop may be configured to contact a cutting surface of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may be a blade or a saw. The stop may also be perpendicular to a cut plane defined by the guide. The guide may be one of a slot, an aperture, and a cutting plane. The placement, location, orientation, and shape of the stop may be based at least, in part, on patient specific information. The contact surface may be a mirror image of an uncut surface of the tissue. Also, the contact surface may have a plurality of concavities and/or a plurality of convexities. The contact surface may also be based at least, in part, on patient specific information. The contact surface may be made to conform to a variety of tissues, for example, the tissue may be one of a joint, an articular surface, a spine, a structure adjacent to one of a joint, an articular surface, and a spine.

In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the patient specific information may be based on an image of the tissue. The images may be one of a CT image, a spiral CT image, an MRI image, an ultrasound image, a digital tomosynthesis image, and an optical coherence tomograph. In other embodiments, the patient specific information is based at least, in part, on intra-operative measurement of the tissue.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the stop may protect the tibial spines. In a more particular embodiment, the guide guides movement of the surgical instrument towards the tibial spines and the stop prevents the surgical instrument from cutting the tibial spines. In other embodiments, the stop protects one of a ligament, a vessel, a nerve, a muscle, a bony structure, and a cartilaginous structure. Further embodiments of the present invention may be put to use in one of a knee, a hip, an ankle, a foot. a shoulder, an elbow, a wrist, a hand, a spine, a vertebral endplate, a skull, a pedicle, a posterior element, and a spinous process.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the surgical cutting guide includes a surface that is a mirror image of a joint, a spine, or a structure adjacent to a joint or spine. The surgical cutting guide further includes a guide or a guide aperture that directs movement of a surgical instrument along a predetermined path. A stop prevents the surgical instrument from deviating from the predetermined path. The location of said stop may be based, at least in part, on patient specific information.

In further related embodiments of the invention, the stop may protect one or more tibial spines. The guide or guide aperture may direct movement of the surgical instrument towards the tibial spine, wherein the stop keeps the surgical instrument clear of the tibial spine. The guide or guide aperture may direct movement of a saw and/or blade. The surgical cutting guide may be used in a knee, a hip, an ankle, a foot, a shoulder, an elbow, a wrist, a hand, a spine, a vertebral endplate, a skull, a pedicle, a posterior element, or a spinous process. The surface may have a plurality of concavities and/or a plurality of convexities. The stop may be perpendicular to a cut plane defined by the at least one of a guide and a guide aperture.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a surgical tool for a knee joint includes a portion that is a mirror image of a joint, a spine, and/or a structure adjacent to a joint or a spine. The surgical tool further includes a guide or a guide aperture that directs movement of a surgical instrument along a predetermined path. A stop inhibits the surgical instrument from deviating from the predetermined path, wherein said stop protects a tibial spine.

In accordance with related embodiments of the invention, the surgical tool may be used for a total knee arthroplasty or a partial knee arthroplasty. The position of the stop may be based, at least in part, on patient specific information. The guide or guide aperture may direct movement of the surgical instrument towards the tibial spine, wherein the stop keeps the surgical instrument clear of the tibial spine. The guide or guide aperture may direct movement of a saw and/or blade. The surface may have a plurality of concavities and/or a plurality of convexities. The stop may be perpendicular to a cut plane defined by the at least one of a guide and a guide aperture.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a cutting guide includes a portion that is a mirror image of a joint, a spine, and/or a structure adjacent to a joint or a spine. The cutting guide further includes a guide or a guide aperture for directing movement of a surgical instrument along a predetermined path. A stop prevents a surgical instrument from deviating from the predetermined path, where the stop may protect a ligament, a vessel, a nerve, a muscle, a bony structure, and/or a cartilaginous structure.

In accordance with related embodiments of the invention, the surgical tool may be used in a total knee arthroplasty or a partial knee arthroplasty. The position of the stop may be based, at least in part, on patient specific information. The guide and/or guide aperture may direct movement of the surgical instrument towards the ligament, vessel, nerve, muscle, bony structure, and/or cartilaginous structure, but the stop may keep the surgical instrument clear of the ligament, vessel, nerve, muscle, bony structure, and/or cartilaginous structure. The guide or guide aperture may direct movement of one of a saw and a blade. The portion may be a surface having a plurality of concavities and a plurality of convexities. The stop may be perpendicular to a cut plane defined by the at least one of a guide and a guide aperture.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a cutting guide includes a portion that is a mirror image of a joint, a spine, and/or a structure adjacent to the joint or spine. The cutting guide further includes a guide or a guide aperture that directs movement of a surgical instrument along a predetermined path. A stop inhibits the surgical instrument from deviating from the predetermined path. The stop is integrated into said cutting guide.

In accordance with related embodiments of the invention, the position of the stop is based, at least in part, on patient specific information. The stop may protect the tibial spines. The guide or guide aperture may direct movement of the surgical instrument towards the tibial spines, wherein the stop keeps the surgical instrument clear of the tibial spines. The guide or guide aperture may direct movement of a saw and/or blade. The surgical cutting guide may be used in a knee, a hip, an ankle, a foot, a shoulder, an elbow, a wrist, a hand, a spine, a vertebral endplate, a skull, a pedicle, a posterior element, or a spinous process. The surface may have a plurality of concavities and/or a plurality of convexities. The stop may be perpendicular to a cut plane defined by the at least one of a guide and a guide aperture.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a cutting guide includes a portion that is a mirror image of a joint, a spine, and/or a structure adjacent to the joint or spine. The cutting guide further includes a guide or a guide aperture that directs movement of a surgical instrument along a predetermined path. A stop inhibits the surgical instrument from deviating from the predetermined path. The stop is attached to said cutting guide.

In accordance with related embodiments of the invention, the position of the stop is based, at least in part, on patient specific information. The stop may protect the tibial spine. The guide or guide aperture may direct movement of the surgical instrument towards the tibial spine, wherein the stop keeps the surgical instrument clear of the tibial spine. The guide or guide aperture may direct movement of a saw and/or blade. The surgical cutting guide may be used in a knee, a hip, an ankle, a foot, a shoulder, an elbow, a wrist, a hand, a spine, a vertebral endplate, a skull, a pedicle, a posterior element, or a spinous process. The surface may have a plurality of concavities and/or a plurality of convexities. The attachment may be via a block or a linkage. The stop may be perpendicular to a cut plane defined by the at least one of a guide and a guide aperture.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a cutting guide includes a portion that is a mirror image of a joint, a spine, and/or a structure adjacent to the joint or spine. The cutting guide further includes a guide or a guide aperture that directs movement of a surgical instrument along a predetermined path. A stop inhibits the surgical instrument from deviating from the predetermined path. The position, orientation or shape of the stop is derived using patient specific anatomic information.

In accordance with related embodiments of the invention, the position, orientation, or shape of said stop may allow for intra-operative adjustments. The stop may protect the tibial spine. The guide or guide aperture may direct movement of the surgical instrument towards the tibial spine, wherein the stop keeps the surgical instrument clear of the tibial spine. The guide or guide aperture may direct movement of a saw and/or blade. The cutting guide may be used in a knee, a hip, an ankle, a foot, a shoulder, an elbow, a wrist, a hand, a spine, a vertebral endplate, a skull, a pedicle, a posterior element, or a spinous process. The surface may have a plurality of concavities and/or a plurality of convexities. The stop may be perpendicular to a cut plane defined by the at least one of a guide and a guide aperture.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a surgical cutting guide includes a surface that is a mirror image of at least one of a joint, a spine, and a structure adjacent to one of a joint and a spine. The surgical cutting guide further includes at least one of a guide and a guide aperture for directing movement of a surgical instrument along a predetermined path. The position or shape or orientation of the at least one of a guide and a guide aperture is based on patient specific information and provides for at least one of a predetermined cut angulation and a predetermined cut height.

In accordance with related embodiments of the invention, the surgical tool may further include a stop for inhibiting the surgical instrument from deviating from the predetermined path. The position of the stop may be based, at least in part, on patient specific information. The stop may protect the tibial spine. At least one of a guide and a guide aperture may direct movement of the surgical instrument towards the tibial spine, but the stop may keep the surgical instrument clear of the tibial spine. The at least one of a guide and a guide aperture may be used to direct movement of a saw or a blade with regard to, for example, a knee, a hip, an ankle, a foot, a shoulder, an elbow, a wrist, a hand, a spine, a vertebral endplate, a skull, a pedicle, a posterior element, or a spinous process.

In accordance with related embodiments of the above-described embodiments of the invention, the patient specific information may be based, at least in part, on an intra-operative measurement of the joint, the spine, or the structure adjacent to the joint and the spine. Alternatively, or in combination with the intra-operative measurement, the patient specific information may be based on an image of the joint, the spine, or the structure adjacent to the joint and the spine. The image may be a CT image, a spiral CT image, an MRI image, an ultrasound image, a digital tomosynthesis image, and an optical coherence tomograph.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a surgical tool includes a template having at least one a guide for directing movement of a surgical instrument along a predetermined path. At least one insert is attached to the guide or guide aperture. The at least one insert protects the template from the surgical instrument.

In accordance with related embodiments of the invention, the template may be made of plastic, and the insert is made of metal. The template may be a mold or a rapid prototype. The insert may be removably attached to the template. The insert may snap onto the template.

Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to a method for guiding a surgical instrument. The method includes providing a surgical cutting guide having a contact surface that conforms to a surface associated with a biological tissue and at least one guide for restricting movement of a surgical instrument in a first direction and for allowing the movement of the surgical instrument in a second direction along the cutting path across the surface of the tissue. Providing the surgical guide further includes ascertaining patient specific information associated with the tissue and incorporating a stop into the guide for restricting movement of the surgical instrument in the second direction along the cutting path. The stop is based at least, in part, on patient specific information.

The method may further include securing the cutting guide to the tissue and cutting the tissue by using the cutting guide to guide the surgical instrument along the cutting path. The cutting guide may be secured to the guide by using anchor screws. In one embodiment of the method, the tissue may be cut so that a cutting surface of the surgical instrument contacts the stop. A blade and/or a saw may be used to cut the tissue.

The method may include several configurations of the surgical cutting guide. For example, the guide and/or the stop may be configured to abut the surface of the tissue. The guide may also be configured into a slot, an aperture, and/or a cutting plane. The placement, location, orientation, and shape of the stop may be based at least, in part, on patient specific information. For example, in one embodiment the stop may be configured to be perpendicular to a cut plane defined by the guide.

The contact surface may be configured so that at least a portion of the contact surface is a mirror image of an uncut surface of the tissue. The contact surface may also be based at least, in part, on patient specific information. The contact surface may further include a plurality of concavities and a plurality of convexities.

In some embodiments of the method, the patient specific information may be ascertained through imaging the tissue. Imaging may be accomplished by CT imaging, CT spiral imaging, MRI imaging, ultrasound imaging, digital tomosynthesis, and/or optical coherence tomography. In other embodiments of the method, patient specific information may be ascertained through intra-operative measuring.

Embodiments of the method may be applied to a variety of tissues, for example, the tissue may be one of a joint, an articular surface, a spine, and a structure adjacent to one of a joint, an articular surface, and a spine. Embodiments of the method may also be put to use in one of a knee, a hip, an ankle, a foot, a shoulder, an elbow, a wrist, a hand, a spine, a vertebral endplate, a skull, a pedicle, a posterior element, and a spinous process.

In another embodiment of the surgical cutting guide, the cutting guide includes a contact surface that conforms to a surface associated with the tissue and at least one guide for restricting movement of a surgical instrument in a first direction and for allowing the movement of the surgical instrument in a fifth direction along a cutting path into the tissue. The cutting guide further includes a stop for restricting movement of the surgical instrument in a second direction. The stop is based at least, in part, on patient specific information. In some embodiments, this guide may be configured to abut the tissue and the abutment of the guide and tissue defines at least part of the cutting path of the surgical instrument. The stop may also be configured to abut the tissue.

Each of the stop, the guide, and the contact surface may have several configurations. For example, the stop may be configured to contact a cutting surface of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may be a blade or a saw. The stop may also be perpendicular to a cut plane defined by the guide. The guide may be one of a slot, an aperture, and a cutting plane. The placement, location, orientation, and shape of the stop may be based at least, in part, on patient specific information. The contact surface may be a mirror image of an uncut surface of the tissue. Also, the contact surface may have a plurality of concavities and/or a plurality of convexities. The contact surface may also be based at least, in part, on patient specific information. The contact surface may be made to conform to a variety of tissues, for example, the tissue may be one of a joint, an articular surface, a spine, a structure adjacent to one of a joint, an articular surface, and a spine.

In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the patient specific information may be based on an image of the tissue. The images may be one of a CT image, a spiral CT image, an MRI image, an ultrasound image, a digital tomosynthesis image, and an optical coherence tomograph. In other embodiments, the patient specific information is based at least, in part, on intra-operative measurement of the tissue.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the stop may protect the tibial spines. In a more particular embodiment, the guide guides movement of the surgical instrument towards the tibial spines and the stop prevents the surgical instrument from cutting the tibial spines. In other embodiments, the stop protects one of a ligament, a vessel, a nerve, a muscle, a bony structure, and a cartilaginous structure. Further embodiments of the present invention may be put to use in one of a knee, a hip, an ankle, a foot. a shoulder, an elbow, a wrist, a hand, a spine, a vertebral endplate, a skull, a pedicle, a posterior element, and a spinous process.

In another embodiment of the method for guiding a surgical instrument, the method includes providing a surgical cutting guide having a contact surface that conforms to a surface associated with a tissue and at least one guide for restricting movement of a surgical instrument in a first direction and for allowing the movement of the surgical instrument in a fifth direction along the cutting path into the tissue. Providing the surgical guide further includes ascertaining patient specific information associated with the tissue and incorporating a stop into the guide for restricting movement of the surgical instrument in the second direction. The stop is based at least, in part, on patient specific information. The method may further include securing the cutting guide to the tissue and cutting the tissue by using the cutting guide to guide the surgical instrument along the cutting path. The cutting guide may be secured to the guide by using anchor screws. In one embodiment of the method, the tissue may be cut so that a cutting surface of the surgical instrument contacts the stop. A blade and/or a saw may be used to cut the tissue.

The method may include several configurations of the surgical cutting guide. For example, the guide and/or the stop may be configured to abut the surface of the tissue. The guide may also be configured into a slot, an aperture, and/or a cutting plane. The placement, location, orientation, and shape of the stop may be based at least, in part, on patient specific information. For example, in one embodiment the stop may be configured to be perpendicular to a cut plane defined by the guide.

The contact surface may be configured so that at least a portion of the contact surface is a mirror image of an uncut surface of the tissue. The contact surface may also be based at least, in part, on patient specific information. The contact surface may further include a plurality of concavities and a plurality of convexities.

In some embodiments of the method, the patient specific information may be ascertained through imaging the tissue. Imaging may be accomplished by CT imaging, CT spiral imaging, MRI imaging, ultrasound imaging, digital tomosynthesis, and/or optical coherence tomography. In other embodiments of the method, patient specific information may be ascertained through intra-operative measuring.

Embodiments of the method may be applied to a variety of tissues, for example, the tissue may be one of a joint, an articular surface, a spine, and a structure adjacent to one of a joint, an articular surface, and a spine. Embodiments of the method may also be put to use in one of a knee, a hip, an ankle, a foot, a shoulder, an elbow, a wrist, a hand, a spine, a vertebral endplate, a skull, a pedicle, a posterior element, and a spinous process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a patient specific surgical tool, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts exemplary medial and lateral cuts made to the tibial plateau while preserving the tibial spines, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts exemplary angular cuts on the tibial plateau;

FIG. 4 depicts a tibial plateau with an exemplary cut plane that fails to preserve at least a portion of the tibial spines;

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a method for guiding a surgical instrument, in accordance with one embodiment of invention; and

FIG. 6 depicts further examples of a method for guiding a surgical instrument, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are directed to a patient specific surgical cutting guide. FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a patient specific surgical cutting guide 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. More particularly, the exemplary surgical cutting guide 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a patient specific cutting guide (also referred to in the art as a jig or template) that may be used, for example, in performing a knee arthroplasty. In other embodiments, the surgical guide 100 may be used in performing operations elsewhere in the body, such as a joint, a hip, an ankle, a foot, a shoulder, an elbow, a wrist, a hand, a spine, a vertebral endplate, a skull, a pedicle, a posterior element, and/or a spinous process.

The surgical cutting guide 100 includes a contact surface 102 that conforms to at least a portion of a surface of a biological tissue to be treated or the structures adjacent to the tissue, as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/671,745, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In preferred embodiments, the contact surface 102 conforms to a substantially uncut portion of a surface of a biological tissue to be treated or the structures adjacent to the tissue. When in use, the contact surface 102 of the cutting guide 100 is placed in contact with the tissue and/or structures adjacent to the tissue. The conforming structure of the contact surface 102 helps ensure proper positioning and orientation of the cutting guide 100. The contact surface 102 may be used to contact a variety of different tissues. For example, the tissue may be, without limitation, at least one of an articular surface, cartilage, subchondral bone and/or other tissue surface and shape. In some embodiments the contact surface 102 may be a “mirror image” or “negative” of the surface of the tissue. Yet, in other embodiments, the contact surface 102 may only have portions that conform to the surface of the tissue. The contact surface 102 may be, without limitation, a surface with one or more concavities and/or one or more convexities. For example, the contact surface 102 may have, without limitation, a single convexity; a plurality of convexities; a single concavity; a plurality of concavities; or at least one convexity and at least one concavity.

In order to fix the contact surface 102 to the tissue, the surgical cutting guide 100 may contain drill bushing holes 104 and 106. These drill bushing holes 104, 106 allow the cutting guide 100 to be anchored to the tissue and/or adjacent structures by using anchoring screws or drill pins inserted through the drill bushing holes 104, 106. In various embodiments, the drill bushing holes 104, 106 include metal inserts (or other hard material) to prevent degradation of the cutting guide when drilling. Other attachment mechanisms known in the art may be used to fix the contact surface 102 to the tissue.

Patient specific information may advantageously be used to ensure that the contact surface 102 properly conforms to the surface of the tissue. Patient specific information includes, but is not limited to one or more intra-operative measurements and/or one or more electronic images. Images and measurements of the surface of the tissue provide object coordinates that define the surface and shape of the tissue. The electronic images of the tissue may be from, without limitation, a CT image, a spiral CT image, an MRI image, an ultrasound scan, digital tomosynthesis, or optical coherence tomography. The object coordinates may be utilized to shape a portion of the cutting guide 100. For example, once the patient specific information is ascertained, rapid prototyping or other manufacturing techniques may be used to adapt the contact surface 102 to the patient's particular tissue structure. In various embodiments, a mold may be made to form the contact surface 102 to the particular tissue structure of the patient. Alternatively, the patient specific information may be used to select a pre-made guide or template that has a good fit with a patient's particular tissue structure.

The surgical cutting guide 100 includes at least one guide 108 for restricting movement of the surgical instrument in a first direction 110 and allowing movement of the surgical instrument in a second direction 112 along a cutting path across the surface of the tissue. The guide 108 defines at least a portion of the cutting path of the surgical instrument along the surface of the tissue. The cutting path may be predetermined based upon the patient specific information and the type of surgical intervention being performed. In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1, the guide 108 is a simple cutting plane. But the guide 108 may also be formed from one or more cutting planes, apertures, slots, and/or holes to accommodate surgical instruments such as drills, reamers, curettes, k-wires, screws and saws. Moreover, a single cutting guide 100 may include a plurality of guides 108. The guide 108 or plurality of guides 108 may be positioned and/or adjusted based on the patient specific information to form a predetermined instrument cutting path for a desired surgical intervention.

During a knee arthroplasty, the guides 108 may direct horizontal medial 206 and lateral 204 cuts of the tibia plateau 114, as depicted (before and after) in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Yet, in another embodiment, the guides 108 may provide for angular cuts rather than horizontal or near horizontal cuts. FIG. 3 shows exemplary angular cuts 302 on the tibial plateau 304. The angulation of the cut may be, without limitation, anterior to posterior and/or lateral to medial. The position or placement of the horizontal or angular guide 108 on the surgical cutting guide 100 relative to the contact surface 102 may be patient specific, and, for example, may control, among other dimensions, the cut height on the tibial plateau.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the guide 108 may be configured to abut the surface of the tissue. In other words, at least a portion of an edge of the guide 108 may be in contact with the surface of the tissue. The abutment of the guide against the surface of the tissue may define a portion of the cutting path across the surface of the tissue. Yet, in other embodiments, the guide 108 may not be configured to contact the surface of the tissue and is, instead, set back from the surface of the tissue.

The cutting guide 100 also includes a stop 116 for restricting movement of the surgical instrument in the second direction along the cutting path. The stop 116 is used to prevent a surgical instrument from deviating from its intended path and ensures that the instrument will stay clear of tissue structures to be preserved. A single cutting guide may contain a plurality of stops 116. The stop 116 may be used to protect a variety of structures such as ligaments, vessels, nerves, muscles, bony structures, and cartilaginous structures. For example, in a knee arthroplasty, the patient specific surgical cutting guide 100 may include a guide 108 for directing a horizontal or near horizontal cut of the tibial plateau 114. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, FIG. 2 depicts exemplary medial 204 and lateral 206 cuts made to the tibial plateau 114 with properly preserved tibial spines 202. Whereas FIG. 4 depicts a tibial plateau showing a cut plane 402 that fails to preserve a portion of the tibial spines 404. In order to preserve the one or more tibial spines, the cutting guide 100 may include a medial stop 116 and/or a lateral stop 116. The stops 116 may be substantially perpendicular to the intended cutting plane defined by the guide 108 such as the stop 116 depicted in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the stop 116 may be at other angles relative to the intended cutting plane, such as at 60, 70, or 80 degrees. Like the guide 108, the stop 116 may be configured to abut the surface of the tissue, or the stop 116 may be configured to be set back from the surface of the tissue. In various embodiments of the invention, the stop 116 may have a straight, curved, and/or complex surface. The stop 116 may have one or more convexities and/or concavities. Any shape known in the art is possible for the stop 116.

The placement, location, orientation, and shape of the stop 116 may be determined based on the surface of the tissue, the tissue structures to be preserved, and the type of surgical intervention to be performed. For example, during a knee arthroplasty, the guide 108 may direct the movement of the surgical instrument in a horizontal cut of the tibial plateau 114. However, an over extension of the horizontal cut of the tibial plateau may result in undercutting the tibial spines and the attached anterior and/or posterior cruciate ligaments of the knee. To solve this problem, the stop 116, as depicted in FIG. 1, is designed so that a horizontal cut into the tibial plateau 114 will stay clear of the tibial spines 118. The stop 116 prevents the cutting surface of the surgical instrument, such as a saw or blade, from extending too far into the tibial plateau 114 and undercutting the tibial spines 118. The stop 116 prevents over extension of the surgical instrument by coming into mechanical contact with the surgical instrument and thus prevents any further progression of the surgical instrument into the tibial spines 118. The guide 108 and the stop 116 work together to guide the movement of the surgical instrument towards the tibial spines 118, while at the same time keeping the surgical instrument clear of the tibial spines 118.

In another embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1, the stop 116 may effectively be used as a guide by restricting the movement of the surgical tool in a third direction 120 and allowing the movement of the surgical instrument in a fourth direction 122 along the cutting path across the surface of the tissue. The guide 108 may effectively be used as a stop by restricting the movement of the surgical instrument in the fourth direction 122 along the cutting path.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an oscillating saw may be used to cut the tissue. In such an embodiment, the guide 108 of the surgical cutting guide 100 may restrict movement of the saw in a first direction 110 and may allow movement of the saw in a fifth direction into the tissue. A stop 116 may restrict movement of the saw in a second direction 112.

The placement, location, orientation, and shape of both the guide 108 and the stop 116 may be determined based on patient specific information. For example, patient specific information in the form of imaging data, which may be, without limitation, a CT image, a spiral CT image, an MRI image, an ultrasound scan, digital tomosynthesis, or optical coherence tomograph may be utilized to identify tissue structures that need to be preserved. The identification of tissue structures may be performed automatically or with the help of an operator. The guide 108 and the stop 116 may then be designed to ensure that the surgical instrument and its cutting path will stay clear of the tissue structure to be preserved. Intra-operative measurement of the tissue structure is another form of patient specific information that may be used to define the placement, location, orientation, and shape of the guide 108 and/or the stop 116.

Once the placement, location, orientation, and shape of the guide 108 and the stop 116 is determined, there are several ways to incorporate them into the cutting guide 100. In one embodiment the contact surface 102, the guide 108 and the stop 116 may be made of the same material. In such an embodiment, the contact surface 102, the guide 108, and the stop 116 may be molded or rapid prototyped as a single unitary structure. In another embodiment, the guide 108 and stop 116 may be integrated into the cutting guide 100. For example, the guide 108 and stop 116 may be machined into the cutting guide 100. However, in a preferred embodiment, the guide 108 and the stop 116 are made from hard materials, such as metal, in order to prevent the surgical instrument from penetrating and degrading the cutting guide 100. In such an embodiment, the guide 108 and stop 116 may be attached to the cutting guide 100 in an appropriate location and orientation. FIG. 1 depicts such an embodiment. The cutting guide 100 includes a template 124 that includes contact surface 102. The template 124 may be made from a material such as a plastic. The template 124 may be made from a mold or through rapid prototyping based on patient specific information. An insert 126 may be secured onto the template 124. As depicted in FIG. 1, the insert forms both the guide 108 and the stop 116. But in other embodiments separate inserts 126 may form each of the stop 116 and the guide 108. The insert 126 may be made from a hard material, such as metal, in order to protect the template 124 from the cutting surface of the surgical tool. The insert 126 may be removably attached to the template through the use of clips, pins, and/or anchor screws. In another embodiment, the guide 108 and stop 116 may be attached to the cutting guide 100 via a block or a linkage as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/671,745, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In another embodiment, the guide 108 and/or stop 116 are incorporated into the cutting guide in such way that intra-operative adjustments may be made to the position, orientation and/or shape of the guide 108 or stop 116. A pivot, space, ratchet or jack like mechanism may be used, without limitation, to adjust the guide 108 or stop 116. For example, the stop 116 may be capable of sliding along the cutting guide 100 and, then, locking into place at the appropriate position. Such intra-operative adjustments may be performed, without limitation, to ensure optimal ligament balancing.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a method for guiding the surgical instrument. The method may include imaging the tissue structure to be treated 502. Imaging of the tissue may be accomplished as described above through CT imaging, spiral CT imaging, MRI imaging, ultrasound scanning, digital tomosynthesis, or optical coherence tomography. Once the tissue is imaged, patient specific information is ascertained based upon the image 504. In another embodiment the patient specific information may be ascertained from intra-operative measurements of the tissue. Once the patient specific information is ascertained, the stop 116 may be incorporated into the surgical cutting guide 100 based at least, in part, on the patient specific information 506. The placement, location, orientation, and shape of the stop 116 on the cutting guide 100 may be determined based upon the surface of the tissue, the tissue structures to be preserved, the type of surgical intervention to be performed, and/or the cutting path of the surgical instrument. As depicted in FIG. 6, the placement, location, orientation, and shape of the guide 108 may also be determined based upon similar considerations and patient specific information 602. The structure of the conforming contact surface 102 may also be determined based at least, in part, on the ascertained patient specific information 604. The stop 116, the guide 108, and the contact surface 102 may be incorporated onto the cutting guide 100 as attachments to the cutting guide 100, as integral to the cutting guide 100, and/or as a single unitary structure. As discussed above, the stop 116, the guide 108, and the contact surface 102 may be molded or rapid prototyped as a single unitary structure. In another embodiment, the stop 116 may be attached onto a pre-made cutting guide 100 or template 124 that has a good fit with a patient's particular tissue structure. In yet another embodiment, the stop 116, guide 108, or contact surface 102 may be integrated into the guide through a machining process.

Once the surgical cutting guide is provided, the surgical guide 100 may be secured to the tissue 606. The conforming contact surface 102 of the surgical cutting guide 100 is placed on the mating surface of the tissue and/or adjacent tissue structures. The surgical cutting guide 100 may be secured to the tissue using the bushing holes 104, 106 and anchor screws. The surgical cutting guide 100 may also be secured to the tissue using surgical glue, bone cement, or any other appropriate fastening means. Once the surgical cutting guide 100 is secured to the tissue, the tissue may be cut with the surgical instrument using the cutting guide 100 to guide the surgical instrument along the cutting path 608. The at least one guide 108 restricts the movement of the surgical instrument in the first direction 110, but allows the movement of the surgical instrument in the second direction 112 along the cutting path across the surface of the tissue. The stop 116 restricts the movement of the surgical instrument in the second direction 112 along the cutting path. The stop 116 restricts movement of the surgical instrument in the second direction 112 by coming in contact with the surgical instrument, and more particularly, the cutting surface of the surgical instrument. After the cut is complete, the cutting guide 100 may be removed or left inside the body post-operatively depending on the particular type of surgical intervention.

The described embodiments of the invention are intended to be merely exemplary and numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of making a surgical tool for repairing a knee joint of a patient, comprising: obtaining electronic image data of the knee joint of the patient, obtaining, from the electronic image data, patient-specific information regarding a ligament of the knee joint of the patient, designing the surgical tool having a portion that substantially conforms to at least a surface portion of the knee joint of the patient, designing at least one guide configured to direct movement of a surgical instrument along a predetermined path, wherein the at least one guide is part of or linked to the surgical tool, and designing a stop based on the patient-specific information for preventing the surgical instrument from deviating from the predetermined path, wherein the stop is integrated into the at least one guide. 